Cambodia begins military drills with ‘great friend’ China
Exercise focuses on counterterrorism and rescue operations and comes amid strained relations between Phnom Penh and Washington
China and Cambodia on Saturday kicked off a military exercise focused on counterterrorism and rescue operations, highlighting the strong ties between the two countries amid strained relations between Cambodia and the United States.
Major General Zhang Jian, commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command, and Pol Saroeun, commander-in-chief of the Cambodian military, opened the Dragon Gold 2018 exercise west of Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.
Pol Saroeun said the exercise, which involves 280 Cambodian and 216 Chinese soldiers, aims to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and strengthen the “traditional relationship and trust politically between the two countries”.
China is Cambodia’s largest foreign investor and has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects in the country.
Pol Saroeun said Cambodia has benefited from China which tops foreign investments and foreign tourist arrivals in the country.
“The support in spirit, equipment and finance from the great friend China in great numbers has made Cambodia progress rapidly,” he said.
